Baker boy killed in wreck

Published: Monday, August 18, 2014 at 11:47 AM.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY -- A 13-year-old Baker boy was killed Sunday night in a wreck on State Road 4, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Shawn McLauglin was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that was rear-ended about 9 p.m. on the rural highway.

Shawn was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while two other teens in the back seat were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital by medical helicopter. Shannan McLaughlin, a 10-year-old from Flomaton, Ala. and Raislin Bunch, a 14-year-old from Baker, were both seriously injured, according to the FHP.

All of the teens were wearing seatbelts, the report said.

The Neon's driver, Renee Russell, a 40-year-old Baker resident, and her passenger, Kevin McLaughlin, a 37-year-old from White, Ga., had minor injuries.

The identity of the driver of the Nissan pick-up that struck them is under investigation, according to the release.

Melvin D. Hawthorne of Jay was an occupant, but it is not clear if he was driving, the release said.

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published
without permission. Links are encouraged.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY -- A 13-year-old Baker boy was killed Sunday night in a wreck on State Road 4, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Shawn McLauglin was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that was rear-ended about 9 p.m. on the rural highway.

Shawn was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while two other teens in the back seat were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital by medical helicopter. Shannan McLaughlin, a 10-year-old from Flomaton, Ala. and Raislin Bunch, a 14-year-old from Baker, were both seriously injured, according to the FHP.

All of the teens were wearing seatbelts, the report said.

The Neon's driver, Renee Russell, a 40-year-old Baker resident, and her passenger, Kevin McLaughlin, a 37-year-old from White, Ga., had minor injuries.

The identity of the driver of the Nissan pick-up that struck them is under investigation, according to the release.

Melvin D. Hawthorne of Jay was an occupant, but it is not clear if he was driving, the release said.